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Tuesday, March 06, 2018

NEW RELEASES: MFSB – THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION; XENIA FRANCE – XENIA; QUIN KIRCHNER – THE OTHER SIDE OF TIME

MFSB – THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION

Massive work
from this legendary group – a studio ensemble who started out backing some of
the best soul singers on the Philly scene of the 70s – but who soon got the
chance to shine in the spotlight on their own! The musicians are all the cream
of the crop of the city's scene – many with legacies that go back to the 60s,
with work in a variety of formats – coming together here in a lineup that's
tight, but never slick – sharp, but always able to open up and groove! The
music here begins with instrumental tracks from the pre-disco years – music
that's a huge change from the rough style of 60s soul instrumentals – and which
adds in more sophisticated charts, a bit of orchestrations, and other elements
– while still letting all the best soulful elements come through in the mix.
The 2CD package is overflowing with gems – and titles include "Zack's
Fanfare", "Sexy", "Philadelphia Freedom",
"KJEE", "Brothers & Sisters", "TSOP",
"Love Is The Message", "Dance With Me Tonight (12"
version)", "Let's Clean UP The Ghetto", "South
Philly", "Back Stabbers", "The Zip", "Lay In
Low", "My Mood", "Get Down With The Philly Sound",
"Family Affair", "Manhattan Skyline",
"Summertime", "Let's Party Down", "Mysteries Of The
World", "MFSB", "Sunnin & Funnin", "Picnic In
The Park", "Freddie's Dead", "Old San Juan",
"Fortune Teller", "We Got The Time", and "Tell Me
Why". ~ Dusty Groove

XENIA FRANCE
– XENIA

A wonderful
mix of Brazilian roots and contemporary soul from Xenia – a singer with
previous experience in the groups Alafia and Capadoxe – but much more
compelling on her own in the spotlight! The music has the kind of
roots/futurist vibe you might expect from the cover – a very powerful presence
from the lady herself on vocals, supported by a mix of live percussion and just
the right electronic elements – often in a way that's quite nice and nice and
spare – even when the beats get a bit bumping and bassy! All lyrics are in
Portuguese – save for the English tune "Reach The Stars" – and titles
include "Pra Que Me Chamas", "Preta Yaya", "Minha
Historia", "Breu", "Nave", "Tereza
Guerreira", and "Perfeita Pra Voce". ~ Dusty Groove

QUIN
KIRCHNER – THE OTHER SIDE OF TIME

A mighty
debut from Quin Kirchner – a drummer who's poised to become a key figure on the
Chicago scene! Quin works here with help from some more familiar names –
including Jason Stein on bass clarinet, Matt Ulery on bass, Nate Lepine on
tenor and flute, and Nick Broste on trombone – all working at a level that's
strongly spiritual – with rhythm patterns that Kirchner builds beautifully on
drums, percussion, and kalimba – occasionally augmented by a few samples here
and there, but mostly acoustic overall. Lepine's in great form throughout – as
is Stein – and their long reed solos add these currents of personality to the
record that really sends the whole thing home! Broste gets in a few powerful
passages too – especially at some of the moodier moments – and Ben Boye plays
piano on one track too. The whole thing's a double album that really needs the
full space for expression – and titles include "Together We Can Explore
The Furthers Beyond", "Mumbo Jumbo", "The Ritual",
"Crossings", "Ripple", "Self-Portrait In Three
Colors", "Drums & Tines (part 2)", "Flutter",
"Karina", "Wondrous Eyes", and a version of Sun Ra's
"Brainville". (Comes in a great tip-on gatefold sleeve, too – with
art by Damon Locks. Limited to 500 copies!) ~ Dusty Groove